Ryanair: Future of Cork Airport in doubt unless UK added to green list

Ireland is sleepwalking into 'oblivion'

Eddie Wilson, CEO, Ryanair, at Cork Airport this morning. 'I can't underestimate the gravity of the situation. If the UK is not on that list then that is going to be terminal for our operations here in Cork.' Picture: Denis Minihane

The CEO of Ryanair has said and warned that tourism will collapse again next summer without immediate action to left travel restrictions.

Eddie Wilson was speaking at Cork Airport yesterday where he addressed TDs and Senators about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The airline said last week it may close its bases in Cork and Shannon unless travel restrictions were eased and brought in line with other EU countries.

The Government is set to publish its 'Living with Covid-19' roadmap today which is expected to update the current travel restrictions and green list system bringing them in line with the recommendations of the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC).

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Wilson said a failure to add the UK to the update green list would have significant consequences for their operations from airports like Cork and Shannon.

"We hope they will adopt the European Union's rules on the movement of people and air travel and public health. If they don't adopt that then it is very bad news for Cork in terms of the closure of the base," he said.

"I can't underestimate the gravity of the situation. If the UK is not on that list then that is going to be terminal for our operations here in Cork."

Wilson pointed out that an essential part of this country's infrastructure is owned by two companies Ryanair and Aer Lingus. "At the moment they are saying we don't want your business. If that's the case we will take those resources elsewhere and that will be tragic for Ireland and for Cork here in particular.

He criticised the delays in implementing the recommendations of the Government-formed Aviation Recovery Taskforce and warned of the impact it could have on the tourism industry into 2021.

"It’s very frustrating when you can meet ministers across Europe and in your home country you can’t get a meeting. There is an aviation report sitting on the minister’s desk since July 7 that has all the answers for what we want, not just Ryanair but all the other airlines and the airports."

"There is now a second chance for the Government to do something. If they don’t open up as they have done in Europe then the aviation industry and the jobs that go with it are to go."